It might have started a little late, thanks to the downpour and traffic that plagued Chennai on Saturday evening, but once it did, the music rained. With a galaxy of stars belting out popular and rare numbers, Hum Hain: Umeed-e-Kashmir — a fund-raiser put together by the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) to raise money for the survivors of Kashmir floods — was a musical treat to Chennai.
When it comes to causes, the city’s musical fraternity comes together in big numbers. And that’s what they did this time too, with singers like Andrea, Sunitha Sarathy, Srinivas and Nikita Gandhi performing for an excited crowd. Also part of the show were the Trichur Brothers and others.
The evening kick-started with the Trichur Brothers presenting a cocktail of classical numbers, including the soulful kriti, ‘Manasa Sancharare’. From Carnatic, the mood veered towards Western, with Sunitha Sarathy’s version of the popular ‘Ennodu Nee Irunthal’ ( I ) garnering much appreciation. Singer Srinivas, along with his daughter Sharanya, entertained the crowd with a few melodies and the energetic ‘Minsara Kanna’ ( Padayappa ).
Musically, the highlight of the evening came after that — with the entry of young singer Nikita Gandhi. After getting the crowd on its feet with an inspiring rendition of ‘Ladio’, her recent hit from I , she wowed Chennai with an unplugged, brilliant version of ‘Adiye’ from Kadal that had the audience standing and applauding.
It was not just all music. There was dance as well. While Andrea sang (and shook a leg) to her popular ‘Google Google’ number, actor Raai Laxmi grooved to some sizzling numbers.
Several Kollywood actors and music composers graced the evening. And throughout, they kept reminding the audience that the show was for a good cause. Actor Adith of Inidhu Inidhu fame aptly summed up the evening, saying, “I’d gone to Kashmir for a shoot last year and while speaking to some locals, they asked, ‘Will you be with us if something happens?’ And now, looking at the support here in Chennai, I’m glad that we are with them.”
Hum Hain: Umeed-e-Kashmir, which also took place simultaneously in other cities across the country, was supported by The Hindu .
